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19 This uncertainty of tenure causes Commissioners to take but little interest in their work and frequently leads to their resignation, be- fore they have served many months. Of the School Board, of 20 members appointed February, 1865, one-fourth had resigned before December 31st. These suggestions are made because of the prevalent opinion that reform is needed—because I wish to see the Public Schools of Bal- timore progress, not stand still—because I am sure the citizens who have investigated the subject feel the necessity of change—because some of the Commissioners and many of the prominent Teachers are convinced that the time has come for a revival, which will infuse new life into the System, and by extending all possible facilities and encouragement to Teachers, enable them to do what they are eminently qualified to accomplish, make the Schools of Baltimore equal to the wants of the citizens, and inferior to none in any Metropolis. VI.— THE MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. By the Act of Assembly which made this Institution the recipient of the income from the sale of Public Lands donated by the National Congress for the encouragement of Art, Science and Literature, I became, ex-officio, a member of the Board of Trustees. Having felt a deep personal interest in this College from the day its plan was announced, and convinced of the importance of sustaining every agency for imparting Higher Education, I determined to become thoroughly acquainted with its condition. The necessity of such investi- gation was evident. Prejudice against the College was growing strong. Influential members of the General Assembly had proposed the with- drawal of the State donation. Rumors, with much apparent reason, were afloat, concerning the mismanagement of the Farm and finances, and the failure of the Faculty to comply with the requisitions of the Charter relative to certain agricultural experiments and reports. The prevailing opinion was that the Institution had been a failure, and the best way of dealing with it was to leave it alone; to let it stand or fall according to its own ability; which was practically saying that the attempt to establish a Scientific Institution under the fostering aid of the State should be abandoned. Sincerely desirous to prevent this result, and to continue this Institu- tion, that through it the United States donation of Lands might be availa- ble at the least possible cost to the Treasury of the State; I sought in- formation concerning its past history, present condition and future pros- pects. For this purpose every facility was granted by the Faculty, the Trustees and the Register. I was made a member of the Executive Committee, and by my invi- tation visited the College for conference with the Faculty and the Register. I attended meetings of the Trustees once at the College, and once in Baltimore From these and other opportunities I am able to state, accu- rately, the past working and present financial and educational status of the Institution, and will frankly express the opinion I have formed and the plans which I advise for realizing the intention of the subscribers |
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Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, 1866
| Volume 107, Page 485 View pdf image (33K) |
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